February 26th, 2009
Not every green building component is considered to be as worthy as another. For example water use is of more value than land use which is more valuable than ozone depletion – at least that’s what I’ve read. As we strive toward greener building and lower environmental impact we try to create rating systems. Upon close examination it is found that these rating systems can be based on somewhat arbitrary information, including a polling of a group of people to determine what is important to them. We all know that what is important to one is not so important to someone else, and that statistical data collected from polling can be skewed. To quote Benjamin Disraeli; “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” I’m not suggesting that we don’t try to create rating systems, just that we look at them with our eyes wide open. Read Weighing Environmental Impact Categories on the BuildingGreen.com site. It certainly opened my eyes.
February 24th, 2009
Are you still wondering if now is the time to own your home? With the new economic stimulus for first time home buyers you have quite an incentive to venture into the new home market. That’s just one reason to make a move to buy a home now. Check out this list at Realtor.org for seven reasons to own your home. It’s a buyer’s market right now with some of the best building incentives there has ever been. You can check out some of our specials from our website. Feel free to call one of our home specialists with any questions and start your new home purchase today.
February 17th, 2009
be your own General Contractor? As money has tightened, more people are trying to find ways to save a few dollars while building their new home. By becoming your own General Contractor you may also become your own worst enemy. At the point you make the decision to become a General Contractor you are SOLEY RESPONSIBLE for everything regarding your project. You must make sure when you hire subcontractors that they are properly insured and that they are reliable to complete their job on schedule. You must coordiante schedules between the sub contrators and be willing to supervise at each stage of completion. Schiavi Home Builders can take all of that off from your shoulders so you can pay attention to the details of your home that will contribute to your overall satisfaction. That being said, it isn’t impossible to be your own General Contractor. I did find this website that an individual created to help others through that process. The lessons learned are worth sharing. You must pay attention to details and be ready for the unexpected. You must know all the costs upfront and not stumble upon them as you go. Finally, you must have the time available to dedicate yourself to your building project to make it succesful. You can read how it worked out for one person by reading their story here. As you can see you can be your own General Contractor…just make sure you should be before you begin.
February 10th, 2009
Will the Obama administration really impact the building industry? Jerry Yudelson, principal of Yudelson Associates predicts there will be an abundance of funds pushed into Green Building, along with mandated Green Building iniatives in up to 35 states within four years. I would say that would impact the building industry. Watch Yudelson’s You Tube Video and see if he convinces you….How Will Obama Impact Green Building?
February 5th, 2009
The theory sounds okay – I guess I’ll remain conservatively optimistic until the results are in. The NAHB has written a report that predicts the economic effects of a policy to stimulate home buying. The true optimist would see new home sales – increased spending money to realtors who get commissions, who then spend it in the retail world, boosting everyone’s income and taking care of the entire economic downturn. I just can’t go there yet – but one can hope. It is worth reading the report to understand what the intentions are. In the best case scenario we will get swept up in the new construction starts and life will be marvelous.
February 3rd, 2009
It’s possible to turn a 1970′s ranch into a net-zero energy home, but is it probable? The renovation seen here had wonderful results, but it was done at a very high cost, and a low aesthetic value. I guess the motivation here was to keep the home and to make it net-zero….and it was accomplished. So it’s possible – just not my style. In an earlier entry I had mentioned that step one is to prioritize your wants and your needs when you approach a remodeling project and everyone will be different. Most of them will be possible – not all of them will be practical.
